Imprinting device

ABSTRACT

AN IMPRINTING DEVICE FOR TRANSFERRING INDICIA FROM AN EMBOSSED PRINTING PLATE TO A PAPER FORM, THE DEVICE BEING PORTABLE IN USE IN THAT IT IS SUFFICIENTLY SMALL ENOUGH TO BE CARRIED IN THE HAND OR POCKETBOOK OF THE USER OR IN A HOLSTER ON THE USER, AND THAT INCLUDES A TRANSFER ROLLER ASSEMBLY AND A CARRIAGE THAT IS READILY MOVABLE IN THE IMPRINTING OPERATION, AND THAT FURTHER INCLUDES A CLAMP FOR LOCATING THE PAPER FORM IN THE IMPRINTING POSITION WHEN THE COVER OF THE DEVICE IS LATCHED TO THE BASE THEREOF.

J- E. WATERMAN IMPRINTING DEVICE March 23, 1971 v4*Sheecfs--Sheeiz 1 Filed- Sept 22, 1969 F I G' 3 INVENTOR JOHN E. WATERMAN BY f ATTORNEYS March 23, 1971 Filed Sept. 22, 1969 J. E. WATERMAN 3,572,241

IMPRINTING DEVICE 4,Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN E. WATERMAN @angl/ZM ATTORNEYS FIG.5

March 23 1971 J. E. WATERMAN 3,572,241

IMPRINTING DEVICE Filed sept. 22. 1969 4 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR F l G l0 JOHN WATERMAN www MM ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oce 3,572,241 IMPRINTING DEVICE John E. Waterman, Chepachet, RJ., assigner to The Entwistle Company, Providence, RJI. Filed Sept. 22, 1969, Ser. No. 859,770 Int. Cl. B41f 3/ 04 U.S. Cl. 101-269 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An imprinting device for transferring indicia from an embossed printing plate to a paper form, the device being portable in use in that it is sufficiently small enough to be carried in the hand or pocketbook of the user or in a holster on the user, and that includes a transfer roller assembly and a carriage that is readily movable in the imprinting operation, and that further includes a clamp for locating the paper form in the imprinting position when the cover of the device is latched to the base thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention has particular application for transferring information from an embossed plate such as a credit card to a paper form after dispensing of services or the sale of merchandise or the like.

-In recent times credit card imprinting devices have been used with increasing frequency because of the trend to credit merchandising. Prior to the instant invention, these devices have normally incorporated a movable roller that is translated over a multiple copy paper form that overlies the credit card, whereby information relating to the customer is transferred from the credit card to the copies of the paper form. Such devices are in common use in gasoline stations, department stores, banks, airline counters and at various other establishments Wherever goods or services are dispensed. These prior-known devices were usually of a size that required placement on a counter or the like, and, although they may have been portable in use in that they could be moved from one location to another, they were not portable for carrying in the pocket or purse of an individual or for operation in the hand of an individual. Thus, the prior-known devices had the disadvantage of being located in a relatively permanent position in the use thereof.

The prior-known imprinting devices have been generally satisfactory for the purpose intended, although in the use thereof, it was necessary to precisely position the paper form on a plate before the imprinting operation, or else the information on the credit card would not be properly transferred to the paper form. Because the prior-known devices were relatively large in size they also included many parts that necessarily complicated the structure and resulted in an expensive construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION tion with the paper form upon closing of the cover on the base to positively locate the paper form in the imprinting position. A unique handle construction, connectable to a carriage that carries an imprinting roller, is movable in a longitudinal direction by the user of the device for carrying the imprinting roller over the paper 3,572,241 Patented Mar. 23, 1971 form in an imprinting operation. As the imprinting roller reaches the end of the imprinting operation, a latch release mechanism automatically disconnects the cover from the base for releasing the cover and thereby enabling the paper form to be readily removed from the device for further handling.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable imprinting device for transferring information from an embossed printing plate to a paper form.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable imprinting device that is operable in the hand of the user and that includes a cover that is pivotally connected to a base, the latching of the cover to the base locating the paper form in the required imprinting position wherein it is ready for the imprinting operation.

Still another object is to provide an imprinting device having a base and a cover pivotally connected thereto and including a paper clamp that is operable to locate a paper form in the appropriate imprinting position upon closing of the cover on the base.

Still another object is to provide an imprinting device in which an embossed printing plate is employed for transferring information to a paper form, the printing plate being inserted through a slot in the base and a latch mechanism providing for securement of the cover to the base, the latch mechanism being automatically released upon completion of the imprinting operation.

Still another object is to provide an imprinting device that includes a carriage on which a printing roller is rotatably mounted, the carriage being connectable to a handle that is readily accessible for moving the carriage and roller in an imprinting operation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

lDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the instant invention:

FIG. l is a perspective view of the imprinting device embodied in the present invention showing the cover thereof in the latched position and prior to the imprinting operation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the imprinting device, the handle thereof, as shown in full lines, being located in position for the imprinting operation;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan View of the cover of the imprinting device, portions of the base that is pivotally connected to the cover being shown in elevation and in section;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the cover of the device in the open position, a printing plate and paper form being located in the base in the imprinting position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the imprinting device showing the location of the carriage and printing roller following completion of the imprinting operation and further showing the release of the cover late hing element;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken along line 6 6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of the cover and base, with the cover shown in the open position;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the cover being moved to the closed position and further illustrating the action of the paper clamp as it is pivotally moved against the paper form for locating the paper form in the required imprinting position thereof;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating a modified form of the operating handle and carriage assembly joined thereto; and

FIG. is a sectional View of the modified form of the invention with the cover shown in the latched position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. l through 8, one form of the imprinting device embodied in the present invention is illustrated, and is generally indicated at 10. As will be described, the imprinting device 10 is designed principally for use with a printing plate of the type that is generally associated with credit cards and that includes embossed printing thereon that provides for transfer of the information on the printing plate to a paper form having carbon sheets interposed between paper sheets. The printing plate and the paper form are of conventional construction and the details thereof do not form any part of the present invention.

The imprinting device 10 includes a base, generally indicated at 12, to which a cover, generally indicated at 14, is pivotally connected. As shown in FIG. 4, the base 12 is defined by a bottom wall 16 to which opposed upwardly extending side walls 18 and 20- are joined. As further illustrated in FIG. 5, a rear wall '22 is joined to the bottom wall 16 and the side walls 18 and 20. Formed integral with the side walls 18 and 20` are upwardly extending ear portions 24 and 26, that are formed with convenient openings for receiving pivot pins 27 which interconnect the cover 14 to the base 12 in pivotal relation.

Formed in the upper surface of the bottom wall 16 is a recess 28 that is `shaped and `dimensioned to accommodate a printing plate or credit card indicated at 30 in FIG. 4. A second or smaller recess 32 accommodates an identifying plate that is permanently secured to the bottom wall 16 and will have information imprinted thereon relating to the organization or company with which the imprinting device 10 is used. In order to conveniently insert the printing plate 30 into the recess 28, the side wall 18 of the base 12 is formed with a suitable slot 34, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the recess 28 is dimensioned so as to prevent complete insertion of the plate 30 through the slot 34. The exposed edge of the plate 30 provides for easy removal thereof after the imprinting operation. A leaf spring 36 is fixed to the bottom wall 16 adjacent to the slot 34 and overlies the printing plate 30 when it is inserted into the recess 28, thereby retaining the printing plate in the imprinting position during operation of the device. As further illustrated in FIG. 4, longitudinal ribs 38 and 40 are joined to the bottom wall 16 and are spaced from the inside surface of the side wall to provide guide means for locating a paper form, such as indicated at 42, in oriented imprinting position within the base 12. Thus it is seen that when an imprinting operation is to be carried out, the printing plate is placed within the recess 28 by sliding it through the slot 34 and under the spring 36, and the paper form 42 is placed over the printing plate 30 on the bottom wall 16 of the base and in the space defined between the ribs 38 and 40 and the side wall 20.

The cover 14 which contains the operating mechanism of the device includes a top Wall 44 in which longitudinally extending slots 46 are formed. Joined to the top wall 44 are side walls 48 and 50, a front wall 51 and a rear wall 52 also being joined to the side walls 48 and 50 and to the top wall `44. As shown in FIG. 4, the side walls 48 and 50 receive the pins 27 therein that extend through the ear portions 24 and 26 of the base for pivotally connecting the cover 14 to the base 12. The top wall also includes a pair of longitudinally extending ribs 53 that dene strengthening members for the top wall. As more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side wall 48 of the cover 14 is formed with an internal shoulder that defines a track 54. An intermediate wall 56 is joined to the top wall 44 in parallel relation to the side walls 48 and 50` and is also formed with a shoulder that denes a second track 58 that is spaced from the track 54 in parallel relation. Overlying the tracks 54 and 58 are elongated gibs 60 and 62 respectively that are secured to the walls 50 and 56 by a plurality of screws 64 and 66 respectively, the gibs 60 and 62 acting to capture the guide rolls on the tracks 54 and 58 as will be described hereinafter. As more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tracks 54 and 58 are formed with recessed areas 67 adjacent to the end wall 52, the purpose of which will also be set forth hereinafter.

Referring again to FIG. 4, a carriage, generally indicated at 68 is illustrated, and as shown is mounted for movement within the cover 14 in a longitudinal direction and includes a frame having an H conguration defined by side members 70 and 72 to which a cross member 74 is joined. A printing roller 76 is mounted for rotation between the side members 70 and 72 on a shaft 77 that is received in appropriate openings in said side members. Inclined slots 78 (FIG. 3) are formed in the side members 70 and 72 and provide for pivotal movement of a handle 79 that is connected to the carriage 68 as Will be described. In order to provide for longitudinal movement of the carriage 68 and the roller 76 carried thereby, sets of guide rollers 80 and 81 (FIG. 3) are provided and are rotatably mounted on shafts 77 and 82 that are received in the side members 70 and 72. The rollers `80 and 81 are located exteriorly of the side members 70, 72 on the shafts 77 and 82 and are movable on the tracks 54 and S8 for guiding the carriage 68 and the printing roller 76 in a longitudinal direction in the imprinting operation. The gibs 60 and 62 enclose the rollers 80 and 81 within the tracks 54 and 58 and insure movement of the rollers on the tracks.

Joined to the side members 70 and 72 of the carriage 68 by fastener nuts 83 and spaced from the shaft v82 is a thin plate 84 to which a latch knock-off member 85 is joined. As will be set forth hereinafter, the latch knockoff member 85 functions to release the cover 14 from the latched position on the base 12 upon completion of the imprinting operation. Also formed on the plate 84 is an eyelet projection 86 in which an opening is formed. One end of a spring 87 is received in the opening on the projection 86, while the other end of the spring 87 is connected to a bolt 91 fixed to the end wall 52 of the cover 14. It is seen that the spring 87 provides for biased movement of the carriage 68 as it is moved in an imprinting operation, and will further act to return the carriage 68 to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 after the imprinting operation.

In order to locate the cover 14 in a latched position on the base 12 during an imprinting operation, a latch generally indicated at 88 is provided and, as shown in FIG. l, the latch 88 is dened by a plate 89 to which rearwardly extending ears 90 are joined, the ears 90 being connected to lateral projections 92 of the side walls 48, 5() by pins 94, thereby pivotally mounting the latch 88 on the cover 14. The latch 88 further includes latch portions 96 that are formed on the ends of the plate 89 and extend rearwardly with respect thereto, the latch portions 96 being engageable with latch pins 98 that project outwardly from the side walls 18 and 20 of the base 12. It is seen that as the cover 14 is moved to an overlying position on the base 12, the pivotally mounted latch 88 will be moved to an engaging position with the base, whereby the latch portions 96 are located in engaging relation with the latch pins 98. As will be further described, the latch knock-olf member 84 is movable with the carriage 68 and projects through a slot 99 formed in the front wall 51 of the cover 14 to engage the plate 89 thereby releasing the latch portions 96 from engagement with the latch pins 98 upon completion of an imprinting operation. In order to positively retain the latch 88 in the latching position as illustrated in FIG. 2, a latch spring 100 is provided, one end of the spring 100 being connectable to the latch 88 at 102 and the other end of the spring 100 being connectable to the cover, as indicated at 104 in FIG. 4. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the plate 89 of the latch 88 is formed with a cut-out portion 105 that provides for entry of the paper form 42 therethrough.

As previously indicated, the carriage 68 is movable in a longitudinal direction in the cover 14 during an imprinting operation, and in order to effect this movement, the handle 79 is provided and includes spaced arms 108 that are interconnected by a cross member 110, the arms 8 having a curved configuration and extending through the slots 46 in the top wall 44 of the cover 14 for pivotal mounting on the shaft 77 that extends through the side members 70 and 72 of the carriage frame. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the handle 79 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 77 of the carriage frame, the slots 78 as formed in the side members 70 and 72 of the carriage 68 providing for movement of the handle 79 between an operative and inoperative position, as illustrated in FIG. 2. When the imprinting operation is to be carried out, the handle 79 is pivotally moved from the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the full line position, the slots 78 in the side members 70 and 72 of the carriage frame acting to further limit the location of the handle in the full line position. The handle may then be grasped by the user of the device and urged in a direction toward the latch 88 to move the carriage 68 and roller 76 therewith.

During the imprinting operation, it is necessary that the paper form 42 be held in firm engagement as the printing roller 76 is traversed thereacross. `In order to firmly locate the paper form 42 in the imprinting position and to further insure that the paper form is properly oriented on the base 12, a clamp 112 is provided and, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 7 and 8, the clamp 112 includes an arm 114 to which a clamping portion 116 is integrally joined, substantially at right angles thereto. The clamp 112 is mounted for pivotal movement on the end wall 52 of the cover 14 and, for this purpose, the end wall 52 is cut out intermediate the ends thereof, so as to form flanges 118 that are located in spaced-apart relation. A pin 120 extends through the flanges 118 and through the pivot axis of the clamp 112 to pivotally mount the clamp within the space in the end wall 52 as formed by the flanges 118. As further illustrated in FIG. 4, the clamping portion 116 has a slot 121 cut therein that forms spaced gripping edges 122. Referring again to FIGS. 7 and 8, as the cover 14 is moved to a closed position, the arm 114 is moved into engagement with a leaf spring 123 that is fixed to the inner surface of the end wall 22 of the base 12. It is seen that as the cover 14 closes, the arm 119 engages the spring 123 which urges the clamping portion 116 into positive engagement with the inserted paper form 42. The pivotal axis of the clamp 112 is located such that the gripping edges 122 of the clamping portion 116 make point contact with the paper form 42 when it is located on the bottom wall 16 of the base 12. Movement of the cover 14 to the closed position causes the spring 123 to urge the gripping edges 122 of the clamp 112 against the paper form wherein the paper form is urged in a direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8. The innermost end of the paper form is thus shifted by the clamp 112 into positive engagement with a shoulder 126 that is located inwardly of the end wall 22. In this position the paper form 42 is not only properly oriented with respect to the underlying printing plate 30, but is also positively clamped into the oriented position by the clamp 112.

In use of the imprinting device illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8, the cover 14 is first unlatched for releasing the cover for engagement with the base 12. With the cover 14 open, the printing plate 30, such as a credit card, is inserted through the slot 34 and is received in the recess 28. The paper form `42 is then inserted between the cover and 'base and placed in overlying relation on the printing plate 30 and between the ribs 38 and 40 and the end wall 20 of the base. The paper form `42 is shifted as far rearwardly as possible, although usually the end thereof will 6 be slightly spaced from the shoulder 126, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The cover 14 is then moved to a closed or latched position, the latch portions 96 of the latch 88 camming over latch pins 98 until the latched position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is reached, the spring 87 positively urging the latch 88 to the latched position. As the cover 14 moves to the latched position, the gripping edges 122 of the clamp 1-12 are urged by the spring 123` into clamping relation on the paper form, the pivotal movement of the clamping portion 116 causing the paper form to be urged in the direction of the arrow illustrated in FIG. 8, until the inner end of the paper form abuts against the shoulder 126. With the cover 14 latched to the base 12 the handle 79 is then pivotally moved from the dotted line position as illustrated in FIG. 2 to the full line position thereof, and is thereafter shifted by the user in an imprinting direction toward the latch 83, the carria-ge 68 moving with the handle 79 and carrying the printing roller therewith over the paper form and printing plate in an imprinting operation. As the roller 76 moves over the paper form, the pressure exerted thereon causes the embossed lettering located on the printing plate 30 to be reproduced on the paper form, as is well known in the art. As the handle 79 and the carriage 68 that is interconnected to the handle 79 reach the endmost position during the imprinting operation (FIG. 5), the latch knock-off member 85 strikes the latch plate `89, thereby causing the latch 88 to be pivoted, whereupon the latch portions 96 are released from engagement with the latch pins 98. This releases the cover 14 from its engaging position on the base 12 and since the clamp 112 is also released and the paper form may be removed from the base 12 for further handling. It is also understood that as soon as the handle 79 is released, the spring 87 returns the handle 79 and the carriage 68 including the roller 76 to the inactive position illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

As described hereinabove, the clamp 112 not only functions to firmly retain the paper form 42 in position during the imprinting operation, but also acts to urge the paper form to the oriented position against the shoulder 126 as the cover 14 is moved to the latched position on the base 12. In order to allow the paper form to shift toward the shoulder 126 under the printing roller 76 as the cover is closed, recesses 128, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, are formed lin the tracks 54 and 58 adjacent to the rear wall 52. Thus when the carriage 68 is located in the inactive position as illustrated in FIG. 2, the guide rolls S0 are received in the recesses 128, thereby providing additional spacing between the printing roller 76 and the bottom wall 16 of the base 12. This additional spacing further allows the paper form 42 to be inserted beneath the printing roller 76 even when the cover 14 is located in an unlatched position but is not fully opened in the position shown in FIG. 4. Thus the user can hold the device in one hand with the cover unlatched and with the other hand can insert the paper form between the cover and base in overlying position over the plate 30. The cover is then latched, which action causes the clamp 112 to urge the paper form 42 against the shoulder 126. It is also seen that during the imprinting operation the recesses 128 act to cam the printing roller 76 to the imprinting position as the guide rolls are moved up on the tracks 54, `58 and as the carriage is translated upon the exertion of pressure on the handle 106 in a direction toward the latch `88.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a modified form of the invention is illustrated, and, as shown, the base and cover are constructed essentially in the same manner as described hereinabove. The essential difference in the modied form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 and l0 is the carriage assembly and the handle construction that is interconected to the carriage assembly. In the modified form of the invention, a carriage assembly generally indicated at 132 is mounted for movement within the cover 14 and is formed with side members 134 and 136 that are interconnected by a cross member 138. Pairs of guide rolls 140 and 142 are mounted on shafts [144 and 146respectively fixed in the side members 134 and 136 and are received on the tracks 54 and 58 in the manner as described above. A printing roller 148 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 144 and also functions in the manner as described above. Joined to the cross member 138 and projecting forwardly thereof is a latch knock-off member 158 that acts to release the cover 14 from the base 12 upon completion of the imprinting operation. Joined to the side members 134 and 136 respectively and extending longitudinally of the cover 14 are elongated arms 152 and 154, the arms 152, 154 extending through openings 156 in the end wall 51 of the cover and openings 158 in the latch 88. A handle 160 having a bail configuration is joined to the outermost ends of the arms 152, 154 by the interconnection of pairs of projections 162 and 164 thereto, It is seen that the imprinting operation is produced by pulling outwardly on the handle 160, thereby causing the carriage 132 to move therewith together with the printing roller 148. Since the force exerted on the handle is in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage 132, the imprinting movement is fairly easy to produce since there is no vertical component of force. It is understood that movement of the carriage to- -ward the end wall 51 causes the knock-off member 158 to engage the latch 88, thereby releasing the cover 14 from the latched position thereof. Release of the handle 160 allows the carriage and roller 148 to return to the inactive position.

What is claimed is:

1. In an imprinting device of the type in which a printing plate is employed for transferring information from the printing plate to a paper form, a base on which said plate and paper form are received, said paper form overlying said plate in the imprinting operation, a cover pivotally connected to said base at an end thereof, means for locking said cover on said base in an operating position, said cover including a roller that is mounted therein for translating movement longitudinally of said cover for imparting a rolling pressure on said paper form and plate after said cover is locked in the operating position on said base, means operatively interconnected to said roller for manually moving said roller for carrying out the irnprinting operation, and means responsive to locking of said cover in the operating position for positively locating said paper form in the imprinting position on said base in overlying relation with respect to said plate.

2. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 1, said locating means including a clamp that is pivotally mounted in said cover adjacent to the hinge axis thereof, and a spring xed to said base and engaging said clamp as said cover is moved to the locking position on said base for pivotally urging said clamp into positive engagement with said paper form.

3. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 2, said clamp being formed with an arm to which a clamping portion is joined at substantially right angles thereto, said arm being moved into engagement with said spring when said cover is moved to the operating position on said base, wherein said clamping portion is urged against the paper form to positively locate said paper form in the imprinting position on said base.

4. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 3, a shoulder formed on said base adjacent to the hinge axis thereof, said shoulder receiving an edge of said paper form thereagainst as said clamp is pivoted during movement of said cover to the operating position.

5. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 3, said moving means including a carriage mounted for longitudinal movement on said cover and receiving said roller therein, wherein said roller is movable with said carriage during the imprinting operation, said locking means including a latch that is pivotally connected to said cover and that is operable to engage said base in the locking position thereof, and means joined to said carriage for releasing said latch from the engaging position after said roller has been moved with the carriage in the imprinting operation, wherein said cover is released from the operating position on said base.

6. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 5, said releasing means including an elongated projection that is mounted on said carriage on the leading edge with respect to the direction of movement thereof during the imprinting operation, wherein said projection engages said latch as the carriage completes the imprinting movement to release said cover from the imprinting position.

7. In the imprinting device as set forth in claim 6, said moving means further including a handle that is pivotally connected to said carriage, at least one slot formed in said cover through which said handle extends, and a spring member normally urging said carriage toward said hinge axis, wherein movement of said carriage upon longitundinal movement of said handle flexes said spring member so that release of said handle after the imprinting operation causes said handle and carriage interconnected thereto to be returned to an inactive position by said spring member.

8. In an imprinting operation as set forth in claim 6, said moving means further including a handle that is connected to said carriage by arms that project through said latch, wherein said carriage is longitudinally movable in the imprinting operation upon longitudinal movement of said handle, and spring means connected to said carriage for returning said carriage to an inactive position after the imprinting operation.

9. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 1, said moving means including a lock release that is movable therewith and that is operative to engage said locking means when said roller is moved during the imprinting operation, `wherein said locking means is disengaged to release said cover for engagement with said base following the imprinting operation.

10. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 9, said moving means including a carriage on which said roller is rotatably mounted, said locking means including a latch that is pivotally mounted on the end of said cover that is opposite to the hinge axis thereof, and means on said base for engaging said latch in the locking position thereof, said lock release including a projection that engages said latch during movement of the roller and carriage in the imprinting operation to release the latch from the locking position upon completion of the imprinting operation.

11. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 10, said moving means further including a handle that is operatively connected to said carriage and that extends exteriorly of said cover, said handle being movable by the user of the device in a direction that is longitudinal with respect to said device to move said carriage and roller mounted thereon in a corresponding longitudinal direction wherein said roller is moved over the form under pressure as it overlies said plate to cause the information on said plate to be transferred onto said form.

f12. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 11, said handle extending through a slot formed in the top wvall of said cover and being pivotally connected to said carriage for location in an inactive position, but being pivotally movable to an active position over said cover prior to the imprinting operation.

13. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 11, said handle extending through a slot in the end of said cover that is opposite to said hinge axis and including an elongated arm that is connectable to said carriage.

14. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 1, a side wall of said base having a slot formed therein through which said plate is inserted for location in the imprinting position on said base, and a clamp pivotally connected to said cover adjacent to the hinge axis thereof and being urged against said paper form when said cover is moved to the operating position to positively locate said paper form in the imprinting position over said plate. 15. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 14, a spring being secured to an end of said base adjacent to the hinge axis of said cover, said clamp being formed with an arm to which a clamping portion is joined at substantially right angles thereto, said arm being moved i-nto engagement `with said spring when said cover is moved to the operating position on said base, wherein said clamping portion is urged against the paper form to positively locate said paper form in engagement with a stop formed on said base adjacent to said hinge axis.

16. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 15, said base having guide ribs located thereon that extend longitudinally of said base and that are spaced from a side wall thereof to provide for locating said paper form in appropriate relation relative to the location of said plate as received on said base in the imprinting position thereof. 17. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 1, said moving means including a carriage in which said roller is rotatably mounted, a spring member for normally retaining said carriage adjacent to the hinge axes of said cover and base, and a handle that is connected to said carriage and that extends outwardly of said cover for access to the user of the device, wherein a force exerted on said handle that is longitudinal of said cover causes said handle to be translated longitudinally of said cover against the action of said spring member, thereby forcing l0 said roller to be moved over said paper form in an irnprinting operation.

18. In an imprinting device as set forth in claim 17, said cover having spaced tracks located therein, guide rolls secured to said carriage and received on said tracks for movement thereover, a portion of said tracks adjacent to said hinge axis being recessed so that as said rolls are received therein when said carriage is in an inactive position, a space is created between said roller and base for receiving said paper form therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,403,662 1/1922 Welsh lOl-415 2,039,049 4/ 1936 Anthony l01-269X 2,735,362 |2/ 1956 Williams 10l274X 2,913,981 11/1959 Hermann 'lOl-269 3,003,415 10/1961 Herbert lOl-269 3,090,303 5/1963 Manners et al. lOl-269 3,188,949 6/1965 Hill 10i-269 3,232,228 2/1966 Bell et al lOl-269 3,485,166 12/1969 Wright et al 101--269X ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner C. COUGHENOR, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. lOl-272, 413 

